ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 189.48 Cr
Over 2.95 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 19,509
3,205 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.74%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.76%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 189.48 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,34,46,113 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 2.95 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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10405389
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2nd Dose
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10019349
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Precaution Dose
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4850346
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FLWs
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1st Dose
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18416165
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2nd Dose
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17544616
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Precaution Dose
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7737218
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Age Group 12-14 years
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1st Dose
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29509889
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2nd Dose
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8040467
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Age Group 15-18 years
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1st Dose
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58557194
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2nd Dose
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42656237
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
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555870205
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2nd Dose
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479587735
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Precaution Dose
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206637
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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202952436
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2nd Dose
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188322961
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Precaution Dose
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653681
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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126888817
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2nd Dose
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117337981
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Precaution Dose
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15243880
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Precaution Dose
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2,86,91,762
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Total
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1,89,48,01,203
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 19,509. Active cases now constitute 0.05% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.74%. 2,802 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,25,44,689.
3,205 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,27,327 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 83.89 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.76% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.98%.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
India Pharma & India Medical Device 2020 Conference to be held from 5 -7 March at Gandhinagar
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry- FICCI is organising India Pharma 2020 & India Medical Device 2020 Conference & Exhibition at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat from March 5-7, 2020. The three day conference will be inaugurated by the Chemicals & Fertilizers Minister Shri Sadananda Gowda MoS , Shri Mansukh Mandviya will also address the conference.
Theme of the event is “India Pharma: Meeting Challenges of Affordable and Quality Healthcare and India Medical Device: Promoting Affordable responsible and Quality Medical Device for Universal Health Care”
It aims to encourage innovations to further reduce the cost of quality healthcare for all and a platform to global investment community to connect with stakeholders in Medical Device Sector in India, Central and State Governments, leading business leaders and top executives from the industry ,academics and experts from the world.
The objective of this event is to promote consumer centric manufacturing by involving Medical Electronics, Devices, Health Diagnostics, Hospitals and Surgical Equipments etc. The event also aims at deliberations and technology demonstration towards constituting an ecosystem for empowering our Electronics Technology development and manufacturing base.
This year in the fifth edition, the event is being organised for the first time in the State of Gujarat, which is also the partner state for this event.
The Indian pharmaceutical market is the third largest in terms of volume and thirteenth largest in terms of value. India is the largest supplier of generic medicines globally. Similarly The Medical Devices industry in India is valued at USD 5.2 billion, contributes about 4-5 percent to the USD 96.7 billion Indian healthcare Industry.
During the event an Exhibition will also be held on Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices. More than 200 Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices companies will be participating in the Exhibition. Around 5,000 global pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals will attend the 3-day Conference.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on Artificial Intelligence  in Health Sector
AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission creates longitudinal Electronic Health Record  facilitating interoperability of health data
Ministry of Health has also recently designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence with an aim to promote creation and use of AI based solutions in Health. Government of India has launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission  which aims to create a platform enabling interoperability of health data within the health ecosystem so as to create longitudinal Electronic Health Record  of every citizen.
Under ABDM, multiple registries are made to ensure that data silos can be broken and longitudinal electronic health record  of citizen is created. Further it will integrate cutting edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, IoTs, blockchain etc. with existing health IT applications as per need for improving the performance of the health services.
NITI Ayog has published two approach documents on AI for India, “Responsible AI” approach documents in February 2021 and “Operationalizing Principles for Responsible AI” in August 2021.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 194.43 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 28,857
- Active cases stand at 0.07%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.72%
- 3,345 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
- 4,26,36,710
- 5,233 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 85.35 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,13,361 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Coal
Methodology for Linkage Rationalization for Independent Power Producers 
An Inter-Ministerial Task Force  was constituted to undertake a comprehensive review of existing coal sources of Independent Power Producers  having linkages and consider the feasibility for rationalization of these sources with a view to optimize transportation cost, given the various technical constraints. The recommendation of the IMTF have been approved by the Competent Authority.
Point-wise details :
1. Coal linkage rationalization shall be an exercise in which the coal linkage of a Thermal Power Plant  of an Independent Power Producer  may be transferred from one Coal Company to another based on the availability during the fiscal and future coal production plan of the coal company.
2. The underlying objective behind the exercise shall be to reduce the landed cost of coal due to reduction in transportation cost. The savings achieved due to this reduction of landed price of coal are required to be passed on to the Discom/consumer of power.
3. This exercise shall be voluntary on the part of the TPPs. The exercise aims to reduce the distance by which coal travels, thus, easing up the Railway infrastructure for gainful utilization for other sectors.
4. The one time process of calling for the requests of the IPP for linkage rationalization shall be undertaken jointly by CIL, SCCL and CEA in a transparent manner.
5. This linkage rationalization shall be considered only for IPPs having linkages through allotment route. The IPPs shall also be stating the Minimum Order Quantity  for which the linkage rationalization shall be requested and their preferred mode of transportation after the linkage rationalization.
6. The Fuel Supply Agreement  of the rationalized source from any coal company would be signed/implemented only after the appropriate Electricity Regulatory Commission approves the supplementary agreement.
7. Any dispute as and when it arises would be resolved as per the provision of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
Implementation strategy and targets :
The proposed rationalization of linkages is transparent, objective and creates a level playing field for IPPs in each domain. It attempts to make optimal rationalization of the vital natural resources across the power units of IPPs.
Major impact :
The reduced landed price of coal shall lead to savings in cost of power generated and shall reduce transportation cost of coal.
The savings achieved due to reduction in the landed price of coal shall be passed on to the Discom/consumers of power.
The exercise shall also help in reducing the load on the transportation infrastructure.
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Ministry of Defence
Commodore Mahadevu Goverdhan Raju, NM takes over as Naval Officer-In-Charge 
Commodore M Goverdhan Raju, NM took over as Naval Officer-in-Charge  from Commodore Sanjiv Issar at an impressive ceremonial parade held in the Naval Base at Visakhapatnam on 26 Feb 21.
Cmde Raju is an alumnus of Sainik School, Korukonda and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1989 and is a specialist in Navigation and Direction.
He held a spectrum of highly challenging operational, staff and training appointments viz; the commissioning crew of INS Sagardhwani, specialist and executive officer appointments on frontline warships, Joint Director Staff Requirements at Naval Headquarters, Director  at HQ Integrated Defence Staff, Principal Director  at the premier training establishment, Indian Naval Academy  and Director, Maritime Warfare Centre .
He has also carried out the duties of Fleet Operations Officer of Eastern Fleet during Dec 2014-May 2016, and he concurrently carried out the duties as the Chief Coordinator for Static Review, Operational Demonstration, Passage Exercise etc. during the prestigious International Fleet Review-2016 and contributed to its grand success.
He is also a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Army War College, Mhow and National Defence College, Mirpur .
He has the distinction of commanding four IN Ships viz; Torpedo Recovery Vessel-71, Ocean Going Minesweeper Ratnagiri, Dhanush OPV Suvarna and Destroyer Ranvijay, as well as two shore units; the premier training establishment INS Chilka with concurrent charge as Naval Officer-in-Charge , and the Forward Operating Base INS Sardar Patel with concurrent charge as Naval Officer-in-Charge .
He is a proud recipient of Nao Sena Medal  in 2014.
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ABBB/VM/MS 23/21
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NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog will host Investors’ Conference to attract investments for the development of eco-tourism on PPP basis in Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands.
NITI Aayog will host an Investors’ Conference on August 10, 2018 at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for the Holistic Development of Islands. The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. It will attract investment for the sustainable development of eco-tourism projects in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
The 11 anchor tourism projects are proposed to be implemented with private sector participation under suitable risk-sharing model and through open-competitive bidding. NITI Aayog, along with the respective UT Administration is organizing an Investors’ Conference on 10th August, 2018, with stakeholders.
Sustainable development of islands and overall maritime development has been accorded high priority by the Government. Island Development Agency  an apex body, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Home Minister, was constituted in June 2017, while NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the Holistic Development of Islands program, along with the respective UT administration/ State Governments. Under the said program in the first phase 10 Islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been taken up for holistic development.
The said anchor tourism projects have been identified on Government owned land in Smith, Aves, Long, Neil & Little Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, and in Kadmat, Suheli & Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. Out of these 11 projects, 7  are in “Ready to Launch” stage. Detailed land survey & demarcation of project sites, carrying capacity assessment of the project islands, CRZ application and pre-feasibility study have been undertaken.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Clarification regarding remarks of I&B Minister
It is observed that sections of the Media have taken a quote of Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar out of context. The quote in question was given by the Minister during the presentation of National Awards for Community Radio on 28.8.19, wherein he was highlighting the power of Communication and importance of Community Radio.
At the same event, the Minister also launched “Jan Connect”, a booklet highlighting the key decisions taken by the Government in the first 75 days of its second term. Speaking about the same, he talked about several key decisions, including the landmark decision of abrogation of Article 370.
In this context, Shri Javadekar said that “Sections of Media have unnecessarily attempted to link the situation in Jammu & Kashmir region with my comments about the significance of Community Radio and Communication in general, which amounts to irresponsible and unethical journalism.”
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Australia for Cooperation in the Disability Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Australiafor Cooperation in the Disability Sector.The MoU was signed at Sydney, Australia on 22nd November 2018.
Benefits:
The MoU will encourage cooperation between India and Australia, through joint initiatives in the disability sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Australia. Further, the MoU will facilitate in improving rehabilitation of persons with disabilities especially for persons with intellectual disability and mental illness in both the countries. Both the countries will take up specific proposals in disability sector as mutually agreed upon, for implementation.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President to participate in International Yoga Day Celebrations at Mumbai
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will participate as Chief Guest at the International Yoga Day 2018 Celebrations being held at Bandra Reclamation Sealink Promenade, Mumbai on June 21, 2018.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis will also attend the event which is being organized by a voluntary organization from Mumbai.
Recognizing that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being, the United Nations has proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga. Since the first International Day of Yoga held on June 21, 2015, the event is being celebrated in many countries across the world every year to raise awareness on the benefits of practicing Yoga.
The theme for this year is ‘Yoga for Peace’.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh says, Government has taken several measures to promote young scientists to undertake research work
Fellowships offer liberal financial support ranging from Rs. 31,000 to Rs. 1, 35,000/- per month to scientists who are not in regular service
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Government has taken several measures to promote young scientists to undertake research work.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, DrJitendra Singh informed that funds allocated exclusively for young scientist research programmes during 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 1001.9 crore, Rs. 1113.1 crore, Rs. 1056.6 crore and Rs. 724.7 crore, respectively. He said, the fellowships offer liberal financial support ranging from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs. 1, 35,000/- per month to scientists who are not in regular service, depending upon their qualification and nature of the scheme.
Some of the notable programmes of the Ministry of Science and Technology targeted at young scientists include: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research  Fellowship and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship of Department of Science and Technology , National Postdoctoral Fellowship  and Start-up Research Grant  of Science and Engineering Research Board , ResearchFellowship Schemes of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research  and Department of Biotechnology , Research Associateship, R&D project based Project Associates, HarGobind Khorana- Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award of DBT.
Ease of funding, speed of delivery, attractive fellowships, access to best research infrastructure and knowledge resource pool, recognition and mentoring are some of the salient features of the young scientist research programmes. The schemes are designed to identify promising young researchers and providing them with training and research opportunities in frontier areas of science and technology. The schemes also provide them a platform to develop as independent researchers for taking up challenging research problems for the benefit of the country.
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Vacant Posts of Reserved Categories
Department of Personnel and Training  monitors the progress in filling up of backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Castes , Scheduled Tribes  and Other Backward Classes  with ten Ministries/Departments, having more than 90% of the employees of Central Government. These Ministries/ Departments collect such data from their attached/subordinate offices, Central Public Sector Undertakings, Financial Institutions, Nationalized Banks, etc and, thereafter, furnish consolidated data to DoPT. Ministry/Department-wise and category-wise  details of backlog reserved vacancies, as on 01.01.2020, is enclosed. Data on Class-wise i.e. Class-I, Class-II, Class-III and Class-IV are not centrally maintained by DoPT.
Filling of vacancies, along with backlog reserved vacancies, is a continuous process. Instructions have been issued to all Ministries/Departments of the Central Government to constitute an In-House Committee for identification of backlog reserved vacancies, to study the root cause of such vacancies, to initiate measures to remove the factors causing such vacancies and to fill them up through Special Recruitment Drives. Each Ministry/Department of the Central Government is required to designate an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary and above, as Liaison Officer, to ensure due compliance of the orders and instructions pertaining to reservation. Further, each Ministry/Department is required to set up a Special Reservation Cell under the direct control of the Liaison Officer to assist her/him in discharge of duties.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to questions in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM seeks blessings of Maa Katyayani
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has sought blessings of Maa Katyayani for all her devotees during Navratri. Shri Modi also wished blessings of willpower and self confidence to all. He has also shared recital of prayers  of the Goddess.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"चन्द्रहासोज्ज्वलकरा शार्दूलवरवाहना।
कात्यायनी च शुभदा देवी दानवघातिनी॥
मां दुर्गा का कात्यायनी स्वरूप अत्यंत अद्भुत और अलौकिक है। आज उनकी आराधना से हर किसी को नए आत्मबल और आत्मविश्वास का आशीर्वाद मिले, यही कामना है।"
Ministry of Science & Technology
Brain Drain
Minister of State  for Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, Shri Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today, said that there is no significant brain drain to an extent of affecting the developments in Science and Technology  sector has been observed by the Union Government. A three-pronged strategy has been adopted to retain the best human resource in the country. First strategy has been the creation of substantial sophisticated research infrastructure, environment for scientific pursuit and academic / research institutions. Secondly, opportunities have been created for overseas scientists of Indian origin to contribute to our country. Thirdly, new opportunities have been created for postdoctoral research in the country.
Several measures have been taken to reduce brain drain from the scientific community. The extramural funding schemes of Department of Science and Technology  and Department of Biotechnology  and Fellowship schemes of DST, DBT and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research  have been designed to encourage scientists to do quality research in the country. Several schemes/programmes for building research infrastructure for enhancing research capabilities such as Fund for improvement of S&T infrastructures in universities and higher educational institutions  have been instituted. Other schemes like Core Research Grant, Research fellowships such as JC Bose and Swarnajayanti are targeted at scientific community to empower them to pursue world-class research in cutting edge areas of science and technology. Special attention has been given to young scientists for making them independent and to motivate them to continue their research in the country.
A large number of young scientists have been supported through schemes like Start-up Research Grant, National Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Science and Engineering Research Board . MK Bhan-Young Researcher Fellowship Programme of DBT is a new Fellowship scheme to encourage young bright researchers to continue their research in the country after PhD. Visiting Advanced Joint Research  Faculty Scheme of SERB provides a platform for overseas scientists including Non-Resident Indians to undertake collaborative research in Indian Institutions and Universities for a finite period of time. The Flexible Complementing Scheme/Merit based promotion scheme positioned in scientific departments and introduction of Performance Related Incentive Scheme  in strategic Departments have also been instrumental in recruiting and retaining scientists. All these measures have been aimed at retaining our scientific workforce in the country and thereby reduce brain drain.